Presidential debate heats up due to town hall format

Oct. 18, 2012

Written by

Elena Novak

Contributing Writer

Expectations for both GOP candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama were high on Tuesday, Oct. 16, when the candidates squared off once again at Hofstra University in New York.

The town hall style of the debate kept the candidates on their toes, requiring them to respond to questions posed by an audience member followed by the opportunity for the candidates to debate head-to-head.

Candy Crowley, CNN chief political correspondent, moderated the debate, allowing the candidates two minutes to respond to questions and two for follow-up.

The audience was comprised of 82 uncommitted voters from the New York area who asked questions pertaining to foreign and domestic policy.

The first question was posed by a 20-year-old, first-time voter who wanted to hear the candidates’ plans to protect college students’ ability to find jobs after graduation.

“We have to make sure that we make it easier for kids to afford college and also make sure that when they get out of college there’s a job,” Romney said.

Obama outlined a specific plan for job creation involving building manufacturing jobs, controlling energy resources, and forming the best education system in the world.

Romney reminded the audience that he, too, has a specific plan composed of five parts that would promise 12 million jobs.

The next question focused on energy policy.

“The most important thing we can do is to make sure we control our own energy,” Obama said.

The question of the energy segment pertained to gas prices, which have soared to an average of four dollars per gallon.

As for taxes, Romney said he wants to see a decrease in tax rates across the board, while Obama prefers to place a higher-level tax rate on the wealthy.

The candidates also discussed their views on inequality towards women in the workplace.

Both expressed a desire to see women in leadership, free from discrimination, though they differed on the government’s role in providing contraception via health care.

“These are not just women issues, these are family issues, these are economic issues,” Obama said.

One audience member asked Mitt Romney what differentiates him from George Bush. He distanced himself from Bush on four key points: energy, trade, a balanced budget and small business.

In counter, Obama noted that Bush also embraced comprehensive immigration reform, supported funding of Planned Parenthood, and opposed a Medicare voucher system—ideals of which Romney holds the opposing view.

Audience members touched on immigration, the terrorist attack in Libya, and gun laws in further questions.

The final question gave the candidates the opportunity to address the biggest misconceptions Americans may have of them.

“I care about 100 percent of the American people,” Romney said. “I want 100 percent of the American people to have a bright and prosperous future.”

Obama tackled claims that people believe he thinks government creates jobs.

“That’s not what I believe,” he said. “I believe that the free enterprise system is the greatest engine of prosperity the world’s ever known.”

Following the debate, a CNN poll showed 46 percent of voters favored Obama as the winner while 39 percent favored Romney.

FSU students from the College Republicans (CRs) and the College Democrats (CDs) also weighed in on the debate.

“Overall I would say that Romney did a very good job of solidifying his position, keeping the momentum going, keeping the discussion up, and the pressure on the president,,” said David Jadon, public relations director for the CRs.

But Alex Davis, black caucus chair of the FSU College Democrats, gave the victory to Obama.

“I thought President Obama showed confidence throughout the debate,” Davis said. “He challenged Mitt Romney’s vague solutions to the nation’s economic problems, while reiterating his own accomplishments and efforts to put the country back on track.”

The final presidential debate will occur on Monday, Oct. 22, at 9 p.m. in Boca Raton, Fla., and will focus on foreign policy.